Decimocuarto

Forbidden Obsession

Decimocuarto

Severus entered the Headmaster's office. Aware that this was neither business nor a social call, Severus was not surprised to see Albus with such a serious expression.

"Have a seat, my son." Severus nodded and sat in the leather chair placed in front of the desk. "Tea?" he offered. Severus declined.

Albus removed his spectacles and rubbed his tired blue eyes. With a sigh, he looked at his friend before putting his glasses back on. He wanted to get on with this meeting.

"Severus, you have been in my service for nearly 20 years. In all of those years you have showed me an endurance of faithfulness and dedication to both educating the students here at Hogwarts and protecting our future. I receive that kind of service from very few. So what I am about to say will be difficult." Albus stood up and began to slowly walk around his office, carefully inspecting a few trinkets and objects along the way. After a moment he turned back toward Severus.

"In all these years I have only denied you one thing, and that is to allow you to feed the way in which you are required. It is apparent that Lord Voldemort has met these needs." Albus paused, looking over his spectacles at Severus. Severus returned his gaze with a raised eyebrow and nodded, acknowledging him. There was no reason to deny the obvious.

"I must deny you one more thing, my son. Hermione Granger." Severus did not react. "I do not know why you chose her, but Severus, you cannot have her. For her protection and yours, I feel that I am required to take extreme action. Your contact with Miss Granger will be limited to class only. You will reject any attempt she makes to contact you." Severus sat back in the chair and remained silent. Even Albus could not read his expression but gave him a moment to comprehend the request.

"Severus, do you understand?"

Silently, Severus got to his feet, respectfully bowed and left.

Albus sat down behind his desk as Fawkes flew over to him and landed on his shoulder.

"Did I make the right decision, my friend?" he asked his faithful bird. Fawkes sang sweetly, but gave no indication to whether the right decision had been made.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Once again Hermione found herself unable to sleep. Pacing her rooms, she stopped to check the clock – two in the morning. She couldn't remember the last time she slept. All she could think about was Professor Snape. She had made every attempt to speak with him over the past few weeks, but he did not respond to her.

There was such a dire need to see him, to go to him and... she couldn't explain it, not even to herself what she needed to do but she just needed him. He consumed her emotionally and spiritually. She couldn't eat, she couldn't sleep, she was even neglecting her class work and Head Girl duties. When in his presence during class she would only fidget with her wand or ingredients, ruining her potions. All she could think about was him and how she could be his.

Pacing the room a few more times, she gave in. Putting on her robes, she took her wand and entered the darkened corridors. Once again she was going to look for him, but this time she vowed she would find him.

"Lumos," she whispered. The halls were colder than usual and became colder once she entered the dungeons. Pulling her robes tighter around her, she proceeded with caution. For some reason her nerves were on end but it did not stop her from seeking him.

Standing in front of his door, she knocked. No answer. She knocked again and again and still he did not answer. She made an unorthodox decision and tried to break into his room, but was unable to bring down his wards. Giving the door a good kick, she collapsed onto the floor, crying.

"Please, Severus," she cried softly, "I need you." She knew he was there. She could feel him.

Severus was on the other side of the door. Sitting on the stone floor, his hand was pressed against the weathered grains of wood, listening to her, feeling her. He needed her too. The transformation was almost complete and she would no longer be his victim but his life mate, if he allowed her in. That was the consequence of allowing his victim to survive. Severus had been warned, and he had heeded the warnings, but just this once he could not allow his victim to die.

Now she was sitting on the other side of his door, but he had been forbidden to accept her. She was nearly 20 years younger than he, and that in itself was sinful, to feed from someone so young. Severus turned and leaned his back against the door. He closed his eyes and sighed as he listened to her soft cries. His heart ached to hold her, to comfort her, to take away her pain, but he forced himself to remain where he was. If she left now, the transformation would begin to cease and she would not be his. He had to let her go.

Nearly an hour had passed when her crying stopped and her breathing steadied. She was asleep. Severus did not move. He would remain by her side, even with the thick wooden door separating them. Another hour went by, and he heard the footsteps of the Headmaster.

Albus gently lifted Hermione into his arms and returned her to her rooms, as this had been the same routine for the past week.

Severus closed his eyes and dropped his head, allowing a tear to fall. Part of the transformation included love, an undying love that could only be accomplished through a completed transformation. This was the closest he would ever come to loving another, and, as that single tear fell, he silently told his Hermione goodbye.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ah, Severus, please come in," said Albus in a cheery voice. "I have some good news." Severus eyed the old man for a moment before taking a seat in front of his desk. "Lemon drop?" Severus waved off his offer. "Severus, I have come to a decision that I believe you will agree is for the best. I have decided to relocate Hermione Granger, just until she is able to better cope with the situation at hand."

"And what situation would that be, sir?" Severus sneered.

"Severus," the Headmaster's tone was a bit more serious, "Don't be coy with me, my son. You are well aware that the situation with Miss Granger has not only affected how she is behaving around you but it is affecting her grades and responsibilities. You were just as studious in your days as a student and you too would have been devastated in a decline of your academics." Severus' eyes narrowed, but nodded only in the slightest. "Good, so you understand the importance of removing her, not to mention the prevention of any future complications."

"Is there anything else?" Severus asked.

"No, you may leave." Severus left in silence, trying to control the anger consuming him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Griselda Marchbanks, the Minister of Magic, held a tight ship. She refused to be swayed by outside influences, namely the Malfoys. Griselda saw herself as too damn old to tolerate the absurd expectations of prestigious families and she proved this in her decisions, showing fairness for all social classes. Her beliefs quickly earned respect throughout the wizarding world since a majority of the families lacked the financial resources these prestigious families were accustomed to.

Unfortunately this did not sit well with Lucius Malfoy, because controlling the Ministry was his edge in gaining favor with the Dark Lord. At least Cornelius Fudge had the sense when to understand the promise of certain protection when accepting a "donation." Lucius had been ready to bring down Marchbanks along with the entire Ministry when she first refused his suggestions that accompanied his donations, but Voldemort reminded Lucius to show patience and that this was not a war for personal vendetta. 'In good time, my son,' Voldemort would tell him. 'We will attack when it benefits all of us, not just you.'

Today Lucius Malfoy displayed an expression of joy that was unequalled to any he had previously displayed. His blue eyes sparkled through his silver mask.

"My Death Eaters, today we will be victorious. Today we will publicly announce we are in control. Today, my loyal servants, will be the day the Minister of Magic and her followers will understand their grave mistake of turning their backs on me – Lord Voldemort!"

The Death Eaters cheered their Master. All were adorned in black robes, black leather gloves and silver masks, ready for battle.

A hearing before the Wizengamot was scheduled, so not only would Marchbanks be present, so would Dumbledore.

Using an array of spells, charms, and the Imperius curse, the Death Eaters gained access to the courtroom. Once inside, they contained it, preventing anyone from Apparating or Disapparating.

The Wizengamot drew their wands and courageously battled the Death Eaters. There were flashes of green, red, and blue light as curses and counter-curses were thrown. Magical shields were of no use against the unforgivables. Many of both the Wizengamot and Death Eaters were slain. Those that remained ignored the dead as they continued fighting, each for their own cause.

Severus had been injured, but it did not stop him as he cast several more curses, bringing down four more members of the Ministry. Limping over to the bodies, he silently whispered a curse, sealing their fate. The injury to his chest was excruciatingly painful yet he continued on. The battle was almost over.

Keeping his wand drawn, he spun around, seeking out his next victim. Standing before him was Albus Dumbledore with his wand raised. Behind Albus was Kingsley. Severus' eyes flashed dangerously at Kingsley for a split second before returning to Albus.

"So it comes down to this, Severus?" asked Albus. The disappointment in his tone was obvious. Severus raised his wand, pointing it at Albus and remained silent. The two men locked eyes. 'Twenty years,' Severus thought, 'twenty years.'

Both Albus and Severus lunged forward, each casting a different curse. There was a blinding flash of green and red followed by a cloud of smoke. As it cleared, one man had been slain and the other remained standing.

~TBC